The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-30
HOW TO AVOID DIPHTHERIA.
Advice of an Eminent Physician as to How
the Disease Should Be Treated.

DR.. George NJ. Sternberg. in the Lamb prize
essay the "Dlsinfection and Individ ual
Prophylaxs against Infectious Diseases" given
by the American Public Health Association. de-
votes a page to the methods of avoiding diph-
thsria. He says that insufficient nour-
ishment. the malarial poison and unsanitary
surroundings, are predisposine causes to the
disease The diphtheritc poison is capable of in
crease Independently of the sick. in damp. foul
places. such as old sewers, damp cellars, and
especially under old houses in which the floors
come near tho surface of the ground, leaving a
damp, unventiated space. AT all events. DIR.
Sternberg says diphtheria often clines to such
houses in spite of the application of the usual
means of disnfection. There 10 no doubt of the
influence Of bad hygienic conditions In main
tanning the infection when tho disease has been
introduced, and it is possible that such condi-
tions may originate diphtheria- Prevention is
the sick, the avoidance of infected localities.
and care to exclude all persons and articles
coming from such houses from contact with
b ousekeepsrs children. The disease is often
pread by thouehtless persons who visit the
sick-room. and ever kiss the infected patients.
and then. without any disinfect:on. foudle
healthy children in other places, and perhaps
transmit by kiss the infectious material that
has adhered to their lips The disease may
be transmitted by pet animals. But it is the
discharges from the throat and nasal passages
Dr. Sternberg says the little BAG OF camphor or
cotton wet with carboic acid which the fond
mother ties about her child's neck TO ward off
diphtheria scarlet fever at school are of no
use Nothing but thorough disinfection of the
premises and keeping away from the contaeion
will do. All damp and dark places should be
aired and cleaned, ventilation should be secured
under every cellar and floor. Plenty Of good
fires should be maintained in stoves and CRATES.
and abundant air admitted to every room.
There lie specific for tho disease; it is not
known to De due to any special germ. Children
should be isolated, put in a room upstairs
No public funerals should be permitted. If
possible. the sick-room should be deserted and
fumgated with sulphur every few days. The
room should be steamed by q pan of boiling
water on the stove for an hour. It shonld then
be closed tight; the key-hole and cracks closed
with paper pasted on. Then tnb with an inch
Of water is set in tho middle of tho room. and
'ne sulphur is burned in pan supported on
bricks in the water to avoid fire. The sulphur
Is mixed in with cotton batting a pound TO a
ballroom and two pounds To living-room.
The cotton and sulphur are Ynoistened with
alcohol ignited and the room closed for
two hours all night Only in this way is the
disinfection thorough. All rags. handaerchiefs,
be burned or boiled for a half nour. The sick.
room should be clear of furniture as possible.
Carpets, stuffed chairs and bric-a brac should
be removed from the sick-room. Friends and
visitors must be kept out. and the attendant
ants should be regarded infected persons.
The mother should for the sick child
and at the same time have the family in charge.
There must be division of labor and house hold
and sick room quarantine